How to Turn On High Contrast Themes for Better Readability on Windows 11
Do you or a loved one find the text and apps on your computer screen unclear and hard to read? Or have trouble differentiating between various elements? Low vision or temporary sight problems could be the cause of your discomfort.
You might be aware that Windows has many accessibility options inbuilt to make the computer easier to see, hear, and use. Today, we’ll focus on High Contrast themes and how you can enable them for better readability on Windows 11. So let’s get started.
What Are Contrast Themes on Windows 11?
You may have seen a poorly designed website while browsing the web—like one with blue ink on black backgrounds. Even people with normal vision won’t be able to read content on them easily. And it would be virtually impossible for people with vision problems.
On the other hand, you would have experienced that it’s so much easier to read white text on a black or dark background. The same is true when you’re looking at dark elements on a white or light-colored base.
The text gets highlighted and has good clarity so that you may read and understand it without difficulty. High contrast colors enable easy and quick readability, especially for users with vision impairments.
Contrast Themes on Windows 11 give you similar comfort with their distinct colors. They make apps and text easier to see and read so that you’re able to work, connect, and create like everyone else.
Windows Contrast Themes use a small palette of colors (with a contrast ratio of at least 7:1) to help make elements in the UI easier to see, reduce eye strain, improve text readability, and accommodate user preferences.
Windows offers four default high-contrast themes that would be suitable for most people: Aquatic, Desert, Night sky, and Dusk. Take a look at them in the gallery below.
As Jeff Petty, Windows Accessibility Leader had put it ina Windows 11 Accessibility blog:
People with light sensitivity and people working for extended periods of time can enjoy beautiful color themes, including new Dark themes and reimagined High Contrast Themes. The new Contrast Themes include aesthetically pleasing, customizable color combinations that make apps and content easier to see.
Though Contrast Themes are designed for users with low vision, you may like their visual appeal and can try them out even if you don’t suffer from vision problems. You may be surprised by a better and clearer experience while using your PC and browsing the web.
So let’s see how you may enable the High Contrast Mode and these Contrast Themes on Windows 11. But before you use Contrast Themes, you should check that that your Windows 11 account is activated. Personalization is available only on activated accounts.
How to Turn On High Contrast Mode via the Keyboard
High Contrast Mode can be enabled by a simple keyboard shortcut.
Just press theLeft Alt + Left Shift + Print Screenkeys together to toggle high contrast on and off.
You will get a prompt to confirm whether you want to turn on High Contrast Mode. ClickYeson the prompt to confirm. Also, a sound will play to alert you when you turn on or turn off High Contrast Mode.
How to Turn On or Off High Contrast Mode via the Sign-in Screen
If you’d prefer to have the High Contrast Mode already on when Windows boots up, you can turn it on when you’re signing in to Windows. Here’s how:
When the sign-in screen loads, select your account.
Then click on theAccessibilitybutton on the bottom-right corner of your PC screen. TheAccessibility settingswill open.
Now toggle on theHigh ContrastModefrom there. Then sign in to Windows and get going in the High Contrast mode.
In case, you’re signing back in after a break and want to disable the High Contrast Mode, turn the toggle off from the Accessibility settings.
How to Enable the High Contrast Theme via the Settings
Open Settingsby pressing theWindows + Ikeys together. Or right-click on theWindowsbutton on the taskbar and selectSettings.
Click onAccessibilityon the left pane and then click onContrast themeson the right pane.
Click on the arrow to open the drop-down theme selection menu. Then select a theme from the four Contrast Themes—Aquatic, Desert, Dusk, and Night sky. Then click onApply.
Screenshot by Neeraj Paruthi - Needs No Attribution. Resized by Simon Batt
Windows may display aPlease waitscreen for a few seconds, after which the colors on the screen change.
What makes this better is that if the default themes are not suitable, you canpersonalize Windows 11 themesand even edit the elements of contrast themes to your liking.
To disable a contrast theme, selectNoneand click onApply. Windows may again display aPlease waitscreen for a few seconds, after which the colors on the screen will change back to default.
It’s easy to enable or disable a Contrast Theme using the keyboard shortcut: pressShift + Left Alt + Print Screenkeys together.
you could also access Contrast Themes via thePersonalizationsettings. Right-click on the desktop and selectPersonalize. InPersonalizationsettings, selectColors. On theColorspage, scroll down toContrast ThemesunderRelated settings.
This will open up theContrast Themespage inAccessibilitysettings from where you can select your theme.
Turn On or Off a High Contrast Theme in Control Panel
Open theRunboxby pressingWindows + Rkeys together.
Then copy and paste the following command into the Run box, and click onOKor hitenter:
The Personalization settings will open up in the Control Panel. If you have installed your themes they will show up at the top of the Personalization settings page, followed by Windows 11 default themes.
At the bottom of the page will be the four Windows Contrast Themes icons listed asHigh Contrast #1, the Dusk theme,High Contrast #2, Night sky,High Contrast Black, Aquatic, andHigh Contrast White, which is the Desert theme.
Just click on a theme icon to activate the Contrast Theme.
To deactivate a Contrast Theme from the Control Panel, click on the chosenHigh Contrast Themeicon on the bottom row of the page—as highlighted in the screenshot below.
This will take you to thePersonalizationsettings on theColorspage inWindows settings. Click onContrast themesand then on the next page chooseNonefrom the drop-down menu and clickApplyto turn off the theme.
Remember, when a High Contrast Theme is chosen or the High Contrast Mode is on, the desktop wallpaper will change to a solid color background. However, you’re able to still choose an image or slideshow as your desktop wallpaper.
Just openPersonalizationsettings and click onBackground. Then, from the drop-down menu, choosePictureSlideshow,orWindows Spotlightoption and choose the pictures.
Moreover, besides the default High Contrast Themes that you may personalize, you can alsocreate your custom themes in Windows 11.
Enjoy a Clearer and Easier Windows Experience With High Contrast Themes
With High Contrast Mode and High Contrast Themes on Windows, you don’t need to worry about readability problems while accessing apps, reading documents, or browsing the web. Enable and use High Contrast Themes to enjoy an easier and more empowering computing experience.
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